Police are warning diners in Chiswick's cafes and restaurants to be wary as an old scam appeared once again on the High Road.

On Thursday 22 July a 22 year old man was sitting in a restaurant on Chiswick High Road when he was approached by a man who spoke with an Eastern European accent.

The man asked for directions to the nearest tube and produced a map that he placed on the table in front of the victim. The map was also placed over the victims phone that had been sitting on the table.

The victim directed the suspect towards Turnham Green. The suspect picked up his map and left the restaurant. Our victim then noticed that his phone has been stolen, by now the suspect had disappeared.

A police spokesman said, "it's an old scam that has re-emerged, at this stage we only have one report but it's always better to get the warning out early to try and make people a little bit more aware."

Previous incidents of this variety of crime had also involved children. People at cafes on the High Road have been particular targets.
Police are advising members of the public to keep mobile phones out of easy reach of others and secure at all times.